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Transcript of Episode 11 of “Path to Peace” Radio Magazine

9 Nov2016

Transcript of Episode 11 of “Path to Peace” Radio Magazine

[Presenter] Welcome our honorable audiences to the talk show, in the talk show we will discuss main events towards the Somali peace process, in this eleventh episode, you will hear deputy of Jubbaland state administration's indirect electoral commission speaking about electoral processes in his state administration and other two MPs who will also speak about operations before forthcoming federal parliaments, but first let us hear your voices.

[Vox pop 1] Though the elections are indirect, but we hope for good change because these elections will lead to the one man one vote election method in the country soon.

[Vox pop 2] The success of the indirect elections depends on how the commission complies with the country's provisional constitution and avoid corruption.

[Vox pop 3] Electing the Upper and Lower Houses of the Federal Parliament is really a good step taken forward. I hope that in the coming few years each Somali citizen will participate in a free and fair elections.

[Vox pop 4] The commissions dealing with indirect electoral issues in regions indicate that the governance has been extended to district level and it is part of democracy and implementation of the federal system in the country.

[Vox pop 5] Holding such elections indicates good management by the federal government, we have not seen such elections since the civil war started.

[Presenter] And now let us hear from Jubbaland state administration's electoral commission deputy chairman, Mohamud Elmi, speaking about electoral process in the state administration's provincial capital of Kismayo.

[Presenter] What significance does your commission have in indirect electoral processes in general and in state level in particular?

[Moh'ud Elmi] Our commission is mandated to organise, implement and hold regional administration elections and contribute to the federal system level.

[Presenter] Give us some details on the process you, as a commission, are involved such as election of MPs for the forthcoming Lower House of the Federal Parliament?

[Moh'ud Elmi] The process started after our commission was established in August this year, we are now at the last stage of preparation for election on MPs for the Lower House of Federal Parliament.

[Presenter] What have you achieved so far?

[Moh'ud Elmi] We have selected the traditional elders and the traditional elders selected the delegates who will elect MPs for forthcoming Lower House of the Federal Parliament.

[Presenter] Regarding the designated time, there is delay, what kind of effect can it have?

[Moh'ud Elmi] We cannot say there is failure, as Jubbaland state administration, we have planned to complete the election within four days.

[Presenter] Are you confident that you will be able to conclude the elections in such short time?

[Presenter] We have already prepared the delegates, the venue of elections, staff and all other facilities to hold the elections.

[Presenter] Now let us listen to MPs Sahra and Abdilatif speaking about the process before the outgoing federal parliament.

[Abdilatif] There have been suspicions over the delay in the presidential election in the country, the major success is that Upper and Lower Houses of the Federal Parliament were completed peacefully.

[Sahra] This is good for our image, because in previous elections, only traditional elders used to elect the MPs but now it is different, the number has increased and delegates will elect the MPs rather than traditional elders.

[Presenter] Do you think that the delay of the election can make the Somali society and the international community to lose confidence in the elections?

[Sahra] It cannot bring about lack of confidence because of some circumstances, we have to conduct our electoral processes at the most convenient time.

[Abdilatif] Yes, there can be lack of confidence, because people can think that the top leaders want to return to their positions [leadership of the federal government], they can also think that there is corruption.

[Presenter] How far can the Somali people have confidence in the federal parliament, do you think that you as MPs represent the civil society?

[Sahra] Absolutely yes, you know we are the central principal of the federal government, we do not only represent the civil society but we also serve the Somali society as whole.

[Caller 1] Sahra from Mogadishu, I hope that the forthcoming federal parliament will be more competent than the current one and serve their society in more patriotic manner.

This episode was aired by several Somali-language radio stations, including privately-owned Radio Goobjoog.